I remember an English lesson in the lower sixth when we had all watched 21 Up the evening before. The lesson was, for some reason, taken by the head of department rather than our usual teacher, and we spent all of it talking about the programme. Thanks to the wonder of Wikipedia I can date it to 10 May 1977. Michael Apted, the man behind the Up programmes, died last week. Beginning with 7 Up in 1963, this series followed a series of people through their lives. It may have begun as an exercise in sociology, but it has turned ...
Money talks. And nowhere does it shout louder than in the political arena of the United States of America. The roll call of companies turning against the president and his acolytes is impressive. A truncated and growing list includes: American Express, Mastercard, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Stripe, Apple, Amazon, Google, the PGA, Deutsche Bank, Signature Bank, Hallmark, Verizon, Comcast, AT and T, AirBnB, New York City, the Koch Organisation.... Several on the above list deserve special mention. Deutsche Bank has been (now was) the Trump Organisation's bank for years. It is owed $340 million by the company. But ...
This is the latest post in a series I started in late 2019, anticipating the twentieth anniversary of my bookblogging which will fall in 2023. Every six-ish days I've been revisiting a month from my recent past, noting work and family developments as well as the books I read in that month. I've found it a pleasantly cathartic process, especially in recent circumstances. If you want to look back at previous entries, they are all tagged under bookblog nostalgia. One important point I missed last month: the departure of my German intern E and her replacement with American C, recently ...
Vince Cable has written in the Independent today asking that rather worrying question. Most of us, including the government, are assuming that if the mass vaccination goes ahead speedily we shall see relaxation of the Covid restrictions in March and be largely free of them in the summer. The economy will bounce back and we can begin to enjoy the Roaring Twenties with a good holiday in the sun. My own sense of optimism is fuelled by the fact that I am in line to get my first vaccine jab this week and I already feel safer and freer. But ...
Current Gormenghast, by Mervyn Peake The Lowest Heaven, eds Anne C. Perry and Jared Shurin T.K. Whitaker, by Anne Chambers Last books finished At Childhood's End, by Sophie Aldred Out of Africa, by Karen Blixen Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Volume 2: Hidden Human History, by Jody Houser Into the Ashes, by Lee Murray Midnight Blue-Light Special, by Seanan Mcguire Gallimaufry, by Colin Baker Kaamelott: Het Raadsel Van de Kluis, by Astier/Dupre Next books The Food of the Gods: And How It Came to Earth, by H. G. Wells Greybeard, by Brian Aldiss
I wasn't very good at cricket when I was a youth. But I could bowl and bat and field well enough that I was asked to join the senior 3rd and 4th teams when I was 14 or 15. They were a friendly bunch who played for the love of the game. We weren't going to win the World Cup (nor even the local league). The success of the team was in the values we shared with each other and the people we played against. We were sporting also-rans, but one man evidently couldn't accept that. He was our number ...
Responding to the news that a Supreme Court ruling is set to force insurers to pay out on disputed coronavirus claims Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Business, said: "This is an excellent result and will provide a lifeline for many small businesses who have been plagued with worry and financial hardship throughout this pandemic. "Businesses across the UK paid out thousands of pounds in premiums only to be let down by insurance companies when they needed to claim. "Now they will finally be able to get the money they deserve and are entitled to."
Some good news to do with the pandemic, at last! Insurance companies will now have to do what businesses pay them to do - pay up on insurance claims. Battered by lockdown and their businesses forceably closed, it was so obviously clear that this was an interruption of trade against which many businesses insured themselves. Frankly the behaviour of the big insurers in having to be dragged to the
Reacting to the news that 150,000 records were accidentally deleted from the Police National Computer, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs Alistair Carmichael, said: "People will rightly be alarmed that a blunder on this scale is even possible. The Home Secretary must take responsibility and come forward to explain exactly what went wrong, how it went wrong, and what she is doing to make sure it never happens again. "It's already the case that far too many crimes go unsolved and too many criminals are never identified. This fiasco risks making our communities less safe and the police's job even ...
This time last year my Lib Dem council colleagues and I on Hull City Council tabled and passed a motion to call for a Universal Basic Income pilot in Hull; we were the first of what is now many Liberal Democrat Councillors to do so. Little did we know a year on Basic Income would pass overwhelmingly at our Autumn party conference into policy and be championed in Parliament by a number of our MPs. Now, as we see the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic hit our society harder than ever before it is essential for Liberal Democrats to be ...
When a Sikh-born widower doctor, Amit (Ram Gopal Bajaj), realises that he is suffering from increasing dementia he heads off in search of past memories before they disappear from his mind. Unusually, impractically, he recruits a Muslim tuk-tuk driver, Salim (Pankaj Tripathi), to accompany him on his odyssey, which will take him to his old [...]
Thu, 15:00: The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle An odd selection, not the best Holmes book; several tales turn on freaks of nature and in several Holmes doesn't solve anything but is a deliverer of absolution. #nwbooks https://t.co/W0dpfAIqhd https://t.co/gNsVCnwzdB https://t.co/YaJpoLNUNc Thu, 16:00: Ōoku: The Inner Chambers vol.2, by Fumi Yoshinaga Kept up the high standard of vol 1. A flashback to the 1630s, shortly after the plague that killed most of Japan's men. The shōgun is (secretly) a young woman. #nwbooks https://t.co/TBGAPjfMaa https://t.co/kkMtdVrUCO https://t.co/lQuMHv9Aeb Thu, 16:35: RT @JohnValenciacf: @nwbrux The Return of Sherlock Holmes showed there was ...
Mexico City has introduced a ban on single-use plastics following a year-long preparation.
Back on 19th November 2020, via a Facebook posting, I asked this:- I came across the black and white photo recently and it made me think because the destination board would have involved the train using the long closed North Mersey Branch from Bootle to Aintree via Linacre Road and Ford Stations. Those stations and that line ceased to be used for passenger trains in April 1951 except of course for Grand National trains. I've also attached a view of the start of the line [as it is today] just south of the present Aintree Station. Does anyone recall using ...
It is noticeable that whenever Boris Johnson makes a statement in the House of Commons, is interviewed or delivers a press conference or broadcast on a devolved topic he fails to mention that he is only speaking for England and often talks as if he is representing the whole of the UK, when he clearly isn't. This has become more marked in recent days when inadequate food parcels worth no more then £5 were delivered to children on free school meals in England, despite the company concerned being awarded £30 for each delivery. It was a failing of government procurement, ...
This Saturday sees the first National Action Day of the year. Under normal circumstances, we'd be out delivering tonnes of leaflets and knocking on doors, talking to voters. We can't do that at the moment, so the plan is that we phone as many voters as possible. There are events taking place all over the country. During the leadership election, both campaigns worked out that if you get a bunch of people together in a Zoom room, have a bit of a chat, and a briefing session, put ourselves on mute, sign into Connect and start phoning together. Then, if ...
Fri 15th
08:30
Whoniversaries 15 January: Daleks' Master Plan #9, Day of the Daleks #3, Face of Evil #3
i) births and deaths 15 January 1934: birth of Richard Franklin, who played Mike Yates in four of the five Third Doctor seasons (1971-74). 15 January 1941: birth of Geoffrey Beevers, who played the Master in The Keeper of Traken and with Big Finish. Was married to Caroline "Liz Shaw" John until her death. 15 January 1948: birth of David Warwick, who played Kimus in The Pirate Plant (Fourth Doctor, 1978) and the police commissioner in Army of Ghosts (Tenth Doctor, 2006); former partner of Louise "Leela" Jameson. ii) broadcast anniversaries 15 January 1966: broadcast of "Escape Switch", tenth episode ...
Please see below recent planning applications in our ward. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any comments or questions. Please note the application for a new mobile phone mast outside the Coach and Horses on Bury Old Road. Single storey extension at side 11 Elm Grove, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 3DNRef. No: 66342 | Received: Mon 21 Dec 2020 | Validated: Mon 21 Dec 2020 | Status: RegisteredTwo storey side extension and single storey rear extension 10 Laburnum Grove, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 3DWRef. No: 66338 | Received: Mon 21 Dec 2020 | Validated: Tue 12 Jan 2021 | ...
The Samaritans say it is more important than ever that we stay connected, even if we have to keep a physical distance. Samaritans Brew Monday will kick off on 18 January, the third Monday in January, which is usually known as 'Blue Monday'. They are turning this day on its head and into something positive by encouraging people to get together over a warming virtual cuppa. Reach out to a friend, family member or colleague for a virtual cuppa and a chat. It doesn't have to be a Monday or a cup of tea, just taking time to really listen ...
Bury's four libraries are offering a reduced service during the national lockdown for readers to borrow and return books. Customers can go online to order books at www.bury.gov.uk/orderbooks and collect them from branches. Library members may also reserve their choice of book at https://bury.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/default A limited number of computer sessions are also available which must be booked by phone. The Home Delivery service will also continue to operate. A limited number of computer sessions are also available, which must be booked by phone. The Home Delivery service will also continue to operate. Prestwich Library phone number is 0161 253 7214. ...
The Home Office is launching a new 'Abuse Codeword Scheme' (from 14 January 2021). The scheme provides a simple and discreet way for people experiencing domestic abuse to signal that they need immediate help from the police or other support services, using a codeword in their local pharmacy. The scheme is designed to complement existing national campaigns and communications materials that can be used locally will be available after the launch. If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for 'ANI' in a participating pharmacy. 'ANI' stands for Action Needed Immediately but also phonetically sounds like the ...
Dundee Libraries has a new Pressreader service which is an excellent service. Library users can now access the latest local, national and international newspapers from home. Find out more here.
Superintendent: It's a country station, rather off the beaten track. Will Hay: Oh, I don't mind, as long as it's near the railway. Time for another of these engaging videos. Lakenheath station, Wikipedia tells us, lies some three miles north of the village and is not within convenient walking distance of any sizeable population.
